Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis caused by contamination of the internal fluid pathways of a phacoemulsifier.
J Cataract Refract Surg 1999;
25:540-5. [PMID:
10198860 DOI:
10.1016/s0886-3350(99)80052-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To report 4 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis caused by internal contamination of the internal pathways of a phacoemulsifier.
SETTING
Ophthalmology Center, Perpignan, France.
METHODS
Four clinical cases of postoperative endophthalmitis occurred after phacoemulsification. An investigation was necessary to prove the cause of the bacteriological contamination.
RESULTS
Serotyping and ribotyping of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains obtained from the vitreous samples and from the phacoemulsifier showed that all these strains were identical and that the initial site of the contamination was the phacoemulsifier.
CONCLUSIONS
The profession should be cognizant of this cause of endophthalmitis, although its occurrence is rare. Cataract surgeons should test samples from the collection bags of their phacoemulsifiers to ensure there is no bacteriological contamination.
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